Happened

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /ˈhæpənd/

Definitions

1. An event is recognized when a certain situation unfolds
2. A specific occurrence is acknowledged when something takes place
3. To take place or come about at a particular time or under particular conditions

Etymology: This is an inflected form: "happened" is the simple past and past participle of "happen," which means to take place or come to pass. The verb is built from "hap," an old word for a chance or occurrence, which is itself close to "hap" in "mishap" and "haphazard." The verbal suffix "-en" was added to turn that noun into a verb, so "happen" essentially means "to act as a chance occurrence." The deeper roots are uncertain. Scholars connect "hap" to Old English "hæppan," meaning to move accidentally or slip, and possibly to an Old Norse verb meaning to fit in or be fitting, which traces back to a Proto-Germanic root meaning fitting. The meanings of fitting and chancing seem to have drifted into one another, so that something that fits the situation simply turns up.

Synonyms: occurred, took place, transpired